GUEST BLOG: PATY JAGER

A friend sent me an e-mail for “Great Karma”. The very first thing on the list was: Take into account that great love and great achievement involve great risk.

This statement had me staring at it and not pushing the button to go on. This is so true in life and in how a writer should go about thinking about a story.

Risk and love-

In life, you give your love to someone but that doesn’t mean it will be taken and you can end up shattered when it’s thrown back in your face.

In a story, you want one or both of your characters to be fearful of committing to the other or loving them- it makes great conflict, but it also makes them vulnerable a trait everyone can relate to and root for.

Risk and Achievement-

In life, everyone struggles to achieve something whether it’s getting out of a wheelchair and they risk falling or they’ve put money into something, or you’ve put all your emotions into a book and you’re looking for an agent/editor/ good review. Risk is something that is always knocking on the door and you can either hide from it and never try to achieve anything or do your best and hope the risk pays off.

In a story, risk is what keeps the story moving forward- it’s the momentum that keeps the character charging to the end and if all goes well they achieve their goal. It may not be the one they first started out wanting, but they end up finding out the risk was worth the reward or sacrifice.

That is the process for writing a great romance. What books have you read lately that the hero or heroine took a risk to love the other?

In my spirit trilogy the spirits risk all they’ve believed in for season upon season when they fall in love with a mortal.

Paty

Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; award winning author Paty Jager and her husband currently farm 350 acres when not dashing around visiting their children and grandchildren. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Paty is a member of RWA, EPIC, and COWG. Wild Rose Press has published nine of her books. Perfectly Good Nanny won the 2008 EPPIE for Best Contemporary Romance. She edited for an e-publisher for four and a half years and teaches workshops at conferences, writers meetings, and online.

Hi Paty!I am so impressed with your bio! Wow, you really are living the life. Nice to meet you.

As for conflict, I get restless when the h/h are skipping through the tulips too early on in the book, unless it’s obvious that something huge is about to pull them apart. Yeah, I guess that’s a little sadistic. Overcoming odds and taking risks are the meat of the story. IMO.

Recently I finish Kristin Higgins book – My One and Only. The hero took a huge risk loving the heroine, and he got torn up bad!

Life is all about risk isn’t it? I recently took a risk moving out of the area where my family lives. So, we all relate to risk in some way which makes us love the risks taken with our h/h. Thanks for the inspiring post.

I really like your post Paty. To Trust someone completely with no reservations and have that trust recipercated, is awesome! The most recent book I read where trust was an issue is “Awaken the Highland Warrior”, a time travel by Anita Clenney.

I love your covers, especially the one with the stag. They’re the type of cover that makes me want to read the book. Very interesting blog post, however do you manage to fit everything into your busy day?

Book Video: Pokergeist

My Favorite Mistake

Taking Desire

Needing Desire

Running Hot

Frost Moon

Blue Light Special

Review Star Rating Definitions

1 Star – We currently do not review any story with a 1 star rating. If it’s DNF or a “wall-banger” we decline to review.

2 Stars — Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you’d re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library – not buy- and never check out again. You might recommend it to a friend with a mention of the glitches, knowing that something in the plot or story would still appeal to them regardless.

3 Stars — Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn’t consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There’s a chance you’ll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn’t go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars — Very Good. You’re glad you were the one who got to review the book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars — Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book – For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you’re not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise – and reserved for only a few.

Review Heat Level Descriptions

SWEET: no visual love scenes and no descriptive kissing;

SENSUAL: Contains a high degree of sexual tension, steamy kisses and passionate clinches, but all fully consummated love scenes will be implied, not described, and with the bedroom door firmly closed.

SPICY: Contains actual love scenes and may include detailed descriptions of foreplay and consummation.

HOT: Contains sizzling and very detailed love scenes throughout and graphic, explicit content which may be offensive to some.

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Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. On occasion, we review books we have purchased with our own money or borrowed from a public library. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.